I am a biochemist by training with broad interests in the chemistry and ecology of biologically-active natural products
produced by plants, algae and bacteria. This includes algal toxins as well as small peptides called siderophores important in metal
homeostasis. Special interests include the biochemistry of iron in forest and aquatic (marine and freshwater)
ecosystems, the chemistry / ecology of marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms, brown tides, and rapid detection methods for toxic
cyanobacteria and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. A major theme in my research is to understand the roles
these compounds play in determining the interactions among aquatic organisms. Often the tools and techniques to measure these compounds in natural
environments simply do not exist, so the development of new methodology (molecular and chemical) is often an important
part of this research. My laboratory is very multidisciplinary with molecular biologists, organic chemists and biochemist all
working side by side towards a common goal. A more detailed description of these research interests, along with several of our current
projects is given below.

We have a number of projects currently underway on developing new detection techniques for cyanobacterial toxins in freshwater
ecosystems. These include using molecular techniques (PCR), HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Cyanobacteria (aka blue-green
algae) produce a number of different toxins, including the hepatotoxic toxins microcystins and cylindrospermopsin, and the
neurotoxins anatoxin-a and the PSP toxin, saxitoxin. In most cases, we do not know the biological function of these toxins. They may
serve as antifeedants, metal-binding compounds, growth regulators, or store essential nutrients such as nitrogen.
Understanding the biological function of these toxins is a key goal of my laboratory.

(2) Iron, siderophores and heavy metals in forested ecosystems

Quite distinct from our work with toxic algae, we are interested in how plants, bacteria and other microorganisms obtain essential
trace metals. In recent years, this has focused on strong iron chelators or siderophores produced under iron-limiting
conditions. These compounds, along with their specific uptake receptors, serve to solubilize needed iron and
promote its uptake. Mycorrhizal fungi form beneficial associations with important forest tree species. Two strains in
particular, Wilcoxina mikolae and W. rehmii produce the siderophore ferricrocin under iron-limiting conditions in culture. Siderophores
such as ferricrocin may also form stable complexes with metals other than iron. These siderophore-metal complexes may be taken up into
the cell, introducing potentially toxic metals into the plant. Siderophores may also bind heavy metals and protect the mycorrhizal tree species.
Understanding these complex interactions is essential if we are to going to use constitutive siderophore-producing fungi in the
reforestation of metal-contaminated sites. This project is part of ESF's larger goal to biotechnology to improve forest productivity on
marginal sites and to bioremediate human impacts on our environment.

(3) BioChemistry and Production of Algal Based BioFuels

In recent years, the US has put increasing focus on the use of biofuels as a replacement for petroleum-based hydrocarbons. North America is a cold-weather climate and I strongly feel that if this approach is to have success, we will need to develop tools and techniques that allow us to co-produce both lipids that can be used for biofuels production as well as other bioactive materials in closed loop photobioreactors that can be insulated from the environment and optimized for growth and product production. My interests range from strain development and selection, to the optimization of growth in mass culture facilities, and the development of new screening technologies such as MALDI-TOF/TOF that could increase the practicality of using algal biomass for biofuels, animal feed supplements and as CO2 sequestering agents. Much of this work is done in collaboration with ESF's program in renewable resources, sustainable energy and development.

The project is part of NOAA's Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms program (MERHAB). It is unique in that it
is one of a few MERHAB project that specifically deals with freshwater systems. The goals of this project are to develop an integrated
alert system to monitor and detect toxic cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae) blooms in the lower Great Lakes. This includes Lake Erie,
Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain along with their associated watersheds. The MERHAB-LGL project is a multi-institutional proposal and is
organized around six different working groups, each with their own tasks: The Lake Erie working group will investigate the spatial
distribution of toxic Microcystis in Lake Erie, evaluate the chemical diversity of microcystins) produced in the lake, evaluate the use
of molecular markers for the microcystin biosynthesis genes mcyB and mcyD as monitoring tools for toxigenic species, and examine
nutritional probes for iron, nitrogen and phosphorus as predictors for toxic cyanobacterial blooms. The Champlain working group will
investigate the occurrence of anatoxin-a and microcystins in Lake Champlain, including the identification of the phytoplankton species
responsible for toxin formation in this system, examine the correlation between blue-green algal density and toxin production, validate
a newly developed dipstick assay for anatoxin-a, evaluate cyanotoxin screening protocols for potential use by water treatment operators,
and develop training programs for those water quality managers. The Lake Ontario group will examine the occurrence of toxic
cyanobacteria in the Lake Ontario's southern shore embayments and determine if these embayments are a source of cyanobacteria and toxins
to the open lake water and to the St. Lawrence River. It will also examine the potential of using zebra mussels as surrogate monitoring
system (mussel watch). We are actively involved in all three lakes. In addition, we provide a centralized toxin support group will
analyze for the cyanobacteria toxins including microcystins, anatoxin-a, anatoxin-a(s), PSP toxins and cylindrospermopsin. MERHAB-LGL
also includes a remote sensing and modeling working group will provide information on the occurrence or movement of phytoplankton blooms
in the region and apply new remote sensing platforms to the occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria blooms. This information will be
disseminated to concern parties by developing a public awareness program for cyanobacteria toxins, informing and educate local
environmental, health, and monitoring agencies integrating the groups field studies into information on management strategies, detection
techniques, health risks, and what is likely to be an appropriate public response. More information on MERHAB and its affiliated
projects can be obtained from NOAA's MERHAB
website.
You may also be interested in the the GLRC Research Review vol 7 describing this project.

As part of Oceans and Human Health Initiative (OHHI), we are to establish facilities and materials to support harmful algal bloom research at
NOAA's Oceans and Human Health Center. Freshwater biotoxins are understudied relative to
marine biotoxins: only microcystins produced by Microcystis spp. are currently addressed in any federally funded program on
the Laurentian Great Lakes. Recently, biotoxins both new to science (BMAAs) as well as new to
the Great Lakes (cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a) have been found in this system. Moreover, strains of freshwater
plankton (e.g., Planktothrix spp., Anabaena spp.) which were previously thought to be atoxigenic in the Great Lakes have
been shown to produce these potent toxins. We collect and characterize (using biochemical and genetic tools) novel toxigenic
cyanobacteria from the Laurentian Great Lakes and other freshwater systems. Toxin and cell standards (which are currently
unavailable) are generated to be used by GLERL and other researchers. Specific objectives include: (1) To determine the distribution and occurrence of
anatoxin-a and cylindrospermopsin-producing organisms, (2) To develop an analytical method for the neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in natural samples
(3) To identify organisms responsible for microcystin production in Sandusky Bay. (4) To evaluate the use of rapid high-throughput
assays for the detection of cyanobacterial toxins (5) To isolate and genetically characterize toxin-producing strains of Lake Erie
cyanobacteria, and (6) To provide both training and reference materials to GLERL and other researchers. Through the established outreach system
at the NOAA GLERL laboratory we will inform the public of these emerging health risks. Working
jointly between my lab at SUNY-ESF and Steven Wilhelm's laboratory at the University of
Tennessee, this project will support the education and training of postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate personnel whom will be
given the unique opportunity to interact with a top government research facility as well as to develop new approaches to understanding
the linkages between human health and activities and our indispensable freshwater resources.

Toxic cyanobacteria have real world effects on both human health and the quality of life. Toxic blooms have been associated with the
death of waterfowl, cattle and domestic pets such as dogs. The OHHI project with use modern molecular and chemical techniques to better
understand the health risks of the cyanobacterial blooms. Here we are working on EPA's research vessel Lake Guardian to collect
sediment cores from Lake Erie as part of their International Field Year on Lake Erie (IFYLE). This core will later be examined for
changes in the presence of cyanobacterial toxins and toxigenic DNA. Information such as this is important if we are to understand the
role human impacts play on the initiation of these toxic blooms.

Great Lakes Observing system and Near Real Time Water Monitoring

ESF and the Great Lakes Reserach Consortium are one of the early members of the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) regional association. GLOS's goal is to deploy a series of buoy, shore and ship-based plateforms accross all five great lakes that can provide real time information to be used for education, teaching, and to drive coupled hydrodynamic and biological growth models for harmful algal blooms in this region. Our specific part of this project is to develop and standardize novel sensors that can be used to detect cyanobacteria, and individual genera of cyanobacteria such as Microcystis in the water column. These are often tested in the laboratory using our "tank' developed for biofuel production. In collaboration with Environment Canada, we also spend each summer on board the research vessel CCGS Limnos field-ttesting these new sensors on the Great Lakes. These projects provide ample opportunity for field work and taking chemistry to the real environment - always an interesting change for those scientist who think that chemistry can only be done inside the confines of a standard laboratory.

SUNY-ESF is very much a research institution with excellent facilities for graduate student in a number of different disciplines. While
my training is in biochemistry, my research laboratory is much more multidisciplinary and always interested in high quality graduate
students in biochemistry, natural products chemistry, chemical ecology, environmental chemistry, biotechnology and related areas. The
common denominator is our shared interest in the ecological importance of small bioactive molecules and their importance in chemical
interactions between species. Which program you actually enter to pursue your degree is dependent upon your research interests,
background training and future goals.

If you are interested in working with me, I would suggest first sending an email with your resume, a brief
description of your research interests and coursework. Unofficial transcripts will be fine. That will allow me to review your background
and provide suggestions as to the appropriate graduate program at SUNY-ESF.